Elections free and peaceful - observers
02 Nov 2024
Preliminary statements by three organisations that observed Botswana's 2024 general elections were free and peaceful.
The organisations;SADC Electoral Observation Mission (SEOM), the African Union Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), and the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries delivered their preliminary statements in a joint press conference in Gaborone on Friday.
Head of the SEOM delegation and former Tanzania prime minister, Mr Mizengo Pinda pointed that SEOM sent 72 observers from 10 SADC member states to monitor the elections.
Mr Pinda said they managed to cover 288 polling stations in the Central, Ghanzi, Kgalagadi, Kgatleng, Kweneng, Ngamiland, North East, Southern and South East districts. He said most polling stations were accessible to voters, including persons with disabilities.
"The political and security environment was generally calm and peaceful before, during, and immediately after polling day. The mission observed free and peaceful campaigns by political parties and independent candidates through rallies, door to door campaigns, presidential debates, media campaigns and posters," he said.
He added that the advance voting of October 19 and 26 was peaceful, except for a reported incident where a candidate left a polling station with ballot papers in Thamaga.
He said while police officers were present at campaign activities to maintain order, peace also prevailed even in areas where the observers did not notice police presence.
Mr Pinda however said SEOM noted stakeholders' concerns about the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) refusal to provide an electronic copy of the voters roll during inspection and verification processes.
He further said they noted that a few days before voting day, a political party launched an urgent application to the High Court in Maun, seeking an order for the IEC to avail an electronic version of the voters roll.
"The mission believes that availing the electronic version of the electoral roll for inspection and verification is critical to ensure transparency of the electoral process in terms of Section 4.1.6 of the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines," he said.
He said the mission also noted concerns by stakeholders that the election day was announced late on September 3, giving IEC, political parties and candidates little time to prepare for the general elections.
He added that they noted stakeholders' concerns about the independence of IEC and transparency of the electoral process.
"The government is urged to ensure that the IEC is independent, impartial, professional, inclusive, accountable andcl staffed by eminent, non-partisan personnel per Section 5.1.3 of the Revised SADC Principles and Guidelines. The mission urges the government of Botswana to amend the Electoral Act to include display of voters roll outside polling stations, use of transparent ballot boxes during voting, counting of votes at polling stations and publication of provisional results at polling stations," he said.
Head of the AUEOM and former president of Nigeria, Dr Goodluck Jonathan said they sent 30 observers to Botswana from October 22 to November 3. He said their observers visited 168 polling stations.
"The mission took note of the fact that the entire electoral process took place in a peaceful environment conducive for the conduct of elections and consistent with Botswana's electoral history," he said.
He said the AUEOM noted that political parties campaigned freely without restrictions and the campaign process was generally peaceful with no major incidents reported.
"The AUEOM noted that 83 per cent of polling stations were easily accessible to voters. There was a large presence of polling agents in all the stations visited. Botswana Democratic Party, Umbrella for Democratic Change, Botswana Congress Party and Botswana Patriotic Front were represented in all the stations observed by the mission. There was cooperation between IEC officials and polling agents who all had hard copies of the voters roll to enhance voter verification," he said.
Dr Jonathan however said AUEOM received concerns from several stakeholders that the independence of IEC could be compromised by its proximity to the Ministry of State President and direct appointment of its Secretary by the President.
He further said the mission received concerns from some political parties over the lack of access to a digital copy of the merged voters roll.
Head of the Electoral Commissions Forum of SADC Countries, Justice Jacob Mwambegele pointed out that they sent 28 observers to Botswana from October 22 to November 2.
Mr Mwambegele said voting was generally peaceful, with polling stations opening on time, visible security and adequate election material including ballot papers.
He said the campaigns were peaceful with no reported major incidents of violence.
He however said the mission observed that access to information from IEC was limited.
"The appointment of IEC Secretary by the President was raised as a concern by the stakeholders," he said.
He further said political parties raised concerns about the safekeeping of advance election ballots. Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Jeremiah Sejabosigo
Location : Gaborone
Event : Press Conference
Date : 02 Nov 2024
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